The NCSCB and our board of directors were formed in 2004 with representatives from
utilities, contractors, manufacturers, organizations, cable splicers, and others.
The NCSCB is an independent, non-profit organization that exists solely for the
purpose of developing and administering quality and comprehensive certification
programs in splicing and terminating shielded electrical power cables.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
- Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)
- National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry
(NJATC)
and individuals affiliated with:
- 3M - Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
- American Electric Power
- Elastimold - a division of Thomas & Betts
- Georgia Power – Southern Companies
- J.C. Driskill
- John E. Kelley and Sons Electrical Construction
- Okonite Cable Company
- PECO an Exelon Company
- Potomac Testing – NETA member
- Power Plus Engineering – NETA member
- Primary Service Corporation
- Primo Electric Company
- Progress Energy
- Prysmian - formerly Pirelli Power Cable
- Ripley Tools
- SRP
- Tidewater Electrical JATC
- Tyco Electronics – Energy Division
- Walker Engineering
- XCEL Energy
Our comprehensive program allows individuals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills,
and abilities when splicing and terminating shielded electrical power cable. By
completing both a knowledge (written) and a performance (practical) exam, competency
of splicing will be recognized by the issuance of a certification card to the successful
candidate in the specific category examined.
Much has been written on the competency and the workmanship of individuals performing
medium voltage cable splicing work. Industry supported programs that are developed
and administered on a National basis, will go far in establishing levels of competency
that meet the needs of industry and the public for safe and reliable delivery of
electrical power. Certification will enable us to formally recognize those individuals
that have successfully demonstrated an understanding of the knowledge, skills, and
abilities of cable splicing.
Following approval of an application, the applicant is now a candidate who must
first successfully complete a written core knowledge examination and then one performance
(practical) examination in a splicing and terminating category selected by the candidate.
The core knowledge examination will be given to all candidates, typically in a group
setting. Each examination will contain approximately 100 questions and will follow
a multiple-choice format presented in a paper booklet. While being observed by examiners,
the individual will splice and/or terminate shielded electrical power cable according
to a standardized testing process. Performance examination categories are: pre-manufactured
kits (pre-molded, heat-shrink, cold shrink), hand-applied (hand taping), and/or
PILC.
The National Cable Splicing Certification Board (NCSCB) is developing and establishing
with intent to maintain and administer a personnel certification and re-certification
program for candidates who successfully demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and
abilities in the field of splicing and terminating shielded electrical power cable.
The National Cable Splicing Certification Board certification program is for anyone
splicing or terminating cable for/with:
- Electrical utilities
- Specialty electrical contractors
- Underground distribution
- Network maintenance
- Construction contractors
- Industrial facilities/installations
If you splice or terminate medium voltage cable, this is the certification you
need to be nationally recognized.
The NCSCB medium voltage personnel certification will be available to qualified
applicants with a minimum of two years related experience with splicing and terminating
shielded power cables in the 2.1kV - 35kV range.
Non-governmental organizations, similar to the National Cable Splicing Certification
Board, develop specialized voluntary credential programs such as Personnel Certification
in order to provide a mechanism granting recognition to an individual who has demonstrated,
via scientifically validated testing, a level of knowledge, skills and abilities
in a given field.
The NCSCB will follow the classical definition and offer a Personnel Certification
credential that recognizes a significant mastery in a defined job area. This credential
is nationally respected and is earned after demonstrating proficiency in the field
of cable splicing, as well as having appropriate pre-qualifications, re-certification
policies and completing required written and performance examinations.
Many Federal Government agencies already require certification of a cable splicer
or terminator (section 16000) and the requirement is usually referenced in various
construction documents issued by the Government, consulting engineers, the general
contractor, or a sub-contractor. The NCSCB medium voltage personnel certification
credential is the method to insure compliance with contract requirements for certified
individuals splicing and terminating shielded medium voltage electrical power cables.
- Our Goal
-
The National Cable Splicing Certification Board (NCSCB) seeks to develop, establish,
maintain, and administer certification and recertification programs for practitioners
who demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of cable splicing and
terminating.
- What is the National Cable Splicing Certification Board (NCSCB)?
-
The National Cable Splicing Certification Board was created in 2004 with representatives
from utilities, contractors, manufacturers, organizations, cable splicers, and others
who are interested in affirming the knowledge, skills, and abilities of workers
who splice and terminate electrical power cables. The NCSCB is an independent non-profit
organization that exists for the purpose of developing and administering a quality
and comprehensive certification program in cable splicing.
- What is Certification in Medium Voltage Cable Splicing?
-
The NCSCB has developed a comprehensive program that allows an individual to demonstrate
his knowledge, skills, and abilities in splicing and terminating shielded electrical
power cable. By the passing of both a written and a performance (practical) exam,
competency of splicing will be recognized by the issuance of a certification card
in the specialties that were examined.
- What about Licenses, Certificates, and Other Work-Related Credentials?
-
Non-governmental organizations, similar to the NCSCB, develop specialized voluntary
credentialing programs such as Personnel Certification in order to provide a mechanism
to grant recognition to an individual who has demonstrated, via scientifically validated
testing, a level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in a specific field. There
is a frequent “blurring” of Personnel Certification and terms such as licenses,
degrees, and certificates. Certification is a credential that is obtained by an
individual and recognizes a significant mastery of knowledge, skills, and abilities
in a defined job related area. Other terms used to describe credentials issued to
individuals for either educational or job related achievement include:
- License –only governments can offer the license credential.
- Degree –schools, universities, and other educational institutions offer degrees.
- Certificate or Certificate of Completion–usually attendance at a specific program,
seminar, or defined course of study enables an individual to earn a certificate
that recognizes participation or completion.
The NCSCB has developed a comprehensive examination in the Medium Voltage Cable
Splicing field that consists of a core knowledge (written) examination and separate
performance (practical hands-on) based examinations for Manufactured Kits, Hand-Applied
Taping, and PILC splicing. Certification indicates a substantial professional commitment
to the field and documents the expertise of the individual. Certification programs
are developed to high standards and are scrutinized in order to provide relevancy
to job task indexes, statistical reliability, fairness, and compliance to professional
testing standards. The NCSCB has followed the classical definitions and offers a
Personnel Certification credential that is meaningful. This credential which is
earned after demonstrating proficiency in the field of cable splicing, as well as
having appropriate prequalification and recertification policies.
- Why Offer Certification in Cable Splicing?
-
Much has been written on the competency and the workmanship of individuals performing
medium voltage cable splicing work. Industry supported programs that are developed
and administered on a National basis, will go far in establishing levels of competency
that meets the needs of industry and the public for safe and reliable delivery of
electrical power. Certification will enable us to formally recognize those individuals
that have successfully demonstrated an understanding of the knowledge, skills, and
abilities of cable splicing.
- Who Will Seek the NCSCB Certification?
-
The intended candidate for the NCSCB electrical power cable examinations works primarily
as a construction/industrial or specialty electrician/lineman for an electrical
utility or an electrical contractor (EC) engaged in network systems, underground
distribution construction and maintenance, or commercial/industrial installations.
- What Are the Requirements for the Medium Voltage Certification Program?
-
The NCSCB has determined that an applicant must have a minimum of two (2) years
related electrical shielded power cable splicing experience prior to taking the
core knowledge written examination.
- What is the Written Examination Process?
-
A core knowledge written examination will be given to applicants, typically in a
group setting. Each examination will have approximately 100 questions and will follow
a multiple-choice format.
- What is the Process for the Performance Exams?
-
There will be three (3) performance (practical hands-on) examinations offered. An
individual must first successfully pass a written core knowledge examination and
then one performance examination. An individual can be certified in any category
or in all three splicing categories. The categories consist of manufactured kits
(splices and terminations), hand-applied taping, PILC splicing and terminating.
The applicant, while being observed by examiners, will splice and/or terminate shielded
electrical power cable according to a standardized testing process.
- Who Developed the Exams?
-
The examination has been developed by shielded power cable technical experts directly
under the supervision of the American Institutes for Research (AIR) in Washington,
D.C. There was national representation on the test development committees. In addition,
care was taken to have a mix of utility, contractor, and manufacturer technical
experts present in all test development meetings.
- How Does a Candidate Prepare for the Examinations?
-
The NCSCB is developing all examinations for a candidate with a minimum of two years
related electrical shielded power cable splicing experience. A comprehensive set
of applicant materials will be issued explaining the knowledge subject areas that
comprise the written examination, a bibliography of sources used in developing examination
questions, a specialized glossary, and sample questions. The individual must be
familiar with the various types of splices, terminations, and manufactured kits
that are used in the industry.
- Will the NCSCB Offer Training Programs?
-
No. We expect that others may offer refresher courses in the future or publish reference
materials relevant to medium voltage cable splicing and cable preparation. The NCSCB
will provide detailed information for any individual or organization that wishes
to develop training material.
- How will Certification be Verified?
-
The applicant will be issued a certification card documenting proof he or she has
successfully demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in the certification
category applied for. In addition, their name will be listed by the NCSCB and available
for verification by employers and facility/property owners.
- What will the Examinations Cost?
-
- Registration Fee - $50.00
- The written Examination Fee - $195.00
- Kit Practical Examination Fee -$395.00
- Future Practical Examination Fees – TBD at a later date
- When Will the Examinations be Offered?
-
The written examination is currently being scheduled. Watch future NJATC Bulletins
and press releases for dates and locations.
- How can additional information on the program be obtained?
-
Anyone can contact the NCSCB Director of Operations and additional information will
be sent when it is available. Also, the NCSCB Board Meetings are open and visitors
can attend. For a current schedule and contact information see our website at http://www.ncscb.org/
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